Triboelectric charging of a perfluoropolyether lubricant

Perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) are used extensively to lubricate hard disks for high density information storage. Some PFPE lubricants have been shown to be vulnerable to dissociative electron attachment as well as electron bombardment. Triboelectric charges generated during sliding contact may generate...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Journal of applied physics 2003-02, Vol.93 (4), p.2202-2207
Hauptverfasser: Wasem, J. V., LaMarche, B. L., Langford, S. C., Dickinson, J. T.
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Perfluoropolyethers (PFPE) are used extensively to lubricate hard disks for high density information storage. Some PFPE lubricants have been shown to be vulnerable to dissociative electron attachment as well as electron bombardment. Triboelectric charges generated during sliding contact may generate quasi-free electrons capable of degrading the lubricant. We describe measurements of triboelectric charging in a model polymer-metal system with and without a PFPE lubricant and show that negative charge accumulates on the substrate polymer surface, both with and without the lubricant. In the presence of the lubricant, some of this charge moves through and becomes bound to the lubricant. Electron and positive ion emission from PTFE-lubricated surfaces during contact sliding again indicate motion of charge through the lubricant. Ion emission in particular suggests possible degradation of the lubricant.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.1536011